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Original poster

Grittleton House School, Wiltshire

92 replies

SarahJ190 · 28/06/2013 14:18

Has anybody got any experience or knowledge of this school. Comments gratefully received. Thanks!
Sarah

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Original poster
SarahJ190 · 05/07/2013 10:06

Happygardening, that all sounds familiar! Thanks for all your help. I will let you know the outcome, but we will probably look at Grittleton, Oldfield (State), Kingswood and perhaps Wellsway (state) and go from there, basing the decision on where he will be happiest and feel like he fits in. He is a sporty little chap and hopefully that will help him make plenty of friends and we can find somewhere that he won't hate going to everyday or feel threatened by other kids that pick things up a bit quicker than he does!

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happygardening · 04/07/2013 15:49

Sarah my DS has "moderate" dyslexia; non existent processing but very good reading IQ top 5% not eligible for a statement. He has been systematically failed in both the state and independent sector his comp not a million miles form you is comparable with Kingswood if not better.
In 13 yrs of struggling with education I have only ever met 2-3 teachers in either sector who understand his needs. He has constantly under performed in relation to his ability his confidence was in his boots but of late it might now reach his ankles, my head is sore form banging it against a brick wall stuffed with jobs worth over paid over holidayed teachers who seem unable to read a ed psych report even when they commission it themselves and who refuse point blank to follow out the suggestions their on ed psych recommends.
You want my opinion don't waste you money in any independent school send him to the local school, use that money to support him, find tutors for the key subjects maths obviously, English a MFL find someone who can spend time carefully explaining to him how to structure essays answer questions etc. Keep badgering you school don't accept "everythings fine" write to the governors you LEA and get your GP involved if its affecting his health. Don't assume thats it being done it isn't.

Original poster
SarahJ190 · 04/07/2013 15:06

Thanks for looking Happygardening! He's not statemented, that requires severe problems, he is just mildly dyslexic, not bad enough to be entitled extra help, in fact even with bad dyslexia there is no requirement for the school to give extra help. You have to be around 2 years behind to qualify for anything. He had an Ed Psych diagnosis which basically meant nothing in terms of extra help! The school tried to stop me doing it, saying it was pointless! Awful! I've had plenty of battles with the head, SEN teacher, LEA, Dyslexia Action and taken advice etc. Don't think he is bad enough for Calder, but just needs a bit more attention and nurturing to encourage and support with a bit of one-to-one on weaker areas. His confidence was through the floor, but somewhere in there he has the ability. His primary is one of the best performing schools in the state sector, plenty of kids doing really well there, he's just not one of them. It is great for the academic kids and he is in a class of high achievers which doesn't help him at all as he just feels stupid all the time! Probably because it wasn't until Year 4 that I realised he was that behind when his levels weren't improving like they should have. A bit naive on my part, but I didn't quite realise what was going on as the school reports are generally 'everything is fine'. I've done loads with him at home and he now has a tutor once a week, just starting to turn a corner and levels are going up, but the school really don't understand dyslexia and don't adjust the learning for him at all! Whilst it hasn't been a great school for us, I guess most parents think it is great. Certainly many of the kids will come out with Level 5's, so on paper the school is fabulous, but it's not worked out for us! I suppose that's why I don't look too closely at the results, although I will look again as I didn't realise Grittleton results were that bad. My local comp only 36% get GCSE's A-C! I know Kingswood up at around 75% and Wellsway etc similar as it's a good state school, but we wouldn't get in there from where we live. You have been very helpful though! Made me think about lots of things.

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happygardening · 04/07/2013 14:31

Calder is unfortunately significantly more expensive than Grittleton. Just looked at the Grittleton website results really aren't very good.

happygardening · 04/07/2013 14:26

Surely if your DS requires a specialist dyslexia school then he would be statemented in the state sector and then he would definitely get better help. Also if he needs that level of intervention then Grittleton definitely isn't the right place.
Jena I also thought the parents at Kingswood weren't generally snobby and elite and that the chap we know with a DS there was the exception rather than the rule, I would say the parents at KES are more that way inclined.

JenaiMorris · 04/07/2013 13:30

It only goes up to 13, but I think pupils go for a year or two rather than longer term.

JenaiMorris · 04/07/2013 13:29

Here you go:
Calder House

JenaiMorris · 04/07/2013 13:27

The people I know with children at Kingswood are Bohemian types, not snobby at all.

That's a very small sample though. There's a specialist school in Colerne for children with dyslexia, dyspraxia and so on. I don't know much about it, but it might be worth a look.

happygardening · 04/07/2013 13:18

Have you actually properly looked at your state options. I don't know them in your area. My DS is dyslexic and spent ten yrs in a variety of independent schools all who promised great things but failed to deliver at every turn and you have to pay extra for not getting this help. Up until yr 10 the state seems to provide not bad help for dyslexics although I understand there are increasing budgetary restraints

happygardening · 04/07/2013 13:14

OP all independent schools are going to make their children work hard and provide lots of demanding homework becasue that is what most parents are paying for. As already said results for state schools in this area are pretty good so if they are going to carry on attracting children and charging parents large sums of money they need to be better (probably why Grittleton are struggling to get children).
If Kingswood is snobby and elite it has no reason to be neither does KES, thinking about it we know a chap with a DS at Kingswood and he's a screaming snob and talks about it if was Eton I just thought it was him, but that might be more to do with its catchment a good friend used to work in Bath and she felt that most who lived there were self satisfied and smug!

Dont know Prior Park so cant help with that one.
I wouldn't worry about moving him for the 6th form by the way lots move then.

fedupwithdeployment · 04/07/2013 11:52

I went to Kingswood. Didn't enjoy it, but did get good A levels. There were plenty of children there who weren't academic. I don't have any current knowledge though.

JenaiMorris · 04/07/2013 11:26

I know a few children with dyslexia at Kingswood. I assume it's working well for them.

NewFairy · 04/07/2013 10:08

Warminster has proved to be a really nurturing school for the DC of friends, not sure if it might be too far to travel though.

Original poster
SarahJ190 · 04/07/2013 10:00

The other option is Prior Park (although we're not catholic!)

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Original poster
SarahJ190 · 04/07/2013 09:57

Thanks Happygardening, Kingswood is an option for us, we are planning on going to the open day and trying him on the 11+ in January, but I guess we need to keep our options open in case it is too hard for him and he doesn't pass. I looked at it for Junior but felt it was really snobby and elite. I need to speak to them about their dyslexia provision. I liked the fact that Grittleton was small and felt like a family, and they would give him extra help, but I know small isn't always good and doesn't necessarily offer the best facilities. Kingswood has a fairly good reputation, although I have heard they really work the kids hard and homework is demanding (Homework can be a real challenge with dyslexic child and cause household ructions!). I'm not a pushy parent where anything less than an A is a failure, and I know a few of them! I knew someone that went to Kingswood and really struggled to keep up, but others that have excelled there. Thanks for the help on this everyone, it has been enlightening and I do appreciate every comment! My brother went to King Edwards and I know exactly what that is like, he was a straight A student, loved it there, but the kids that struggled hated it. I would go there if mine was academic over everywhere else, but its just not a viable option for me.

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happygardening · 04/07/2013 09:06

Have you actually spoken to Kingswood? It doesn't have an reputation for being very academic, KES more so but neither are are exactly St Pauls what ever they might claim.
A personal conversation with the person in charge of admissions is always better than reading websites or listening to the views of current parents who may be trying to over inflate the academic prowess of their own children. [shocked]

happygardening · 04/07/2013 07:24

Have you thought about a 13+ prep for a couple of years there are often vacancies at yr 7? I and most I know including a couple whose DC's were there would agree with celestial I'm afraid.
What about Sidcott the Quaker school I suppose it's too far from you.

Original poster
SarahJ190 · 03/07/2013 23:40

Yes SBL is a local state option. I think he would really struggle in an environment like that! If not eaten alive first! Lol. Again I think academic kids can do well anywhere, but sense mine needs a smaller class size, quiet environment (distracted badly by classroom noise)and a bit more attention and confidence building. His dyslexia has really held him back, he's at least a year behind, but picking up slowly with private help, as his school were useless! I guess my argument is I would pay for the extra help and attention, that I don't trust the state to give him, to put him in the best position to do well but I'm not paying just to get A*'s at the end of it, I have a far more balanced view. I want him to be happy and enjoy school. I don't mind blunt, but I guess mediocre doesn't really explain it, mediocre at what part, results, environment, sports, art, drama, nurturing, teaching. Everyone is different and has different measures and I guess the people that do pay for their kids to go there must feel it is right for their child, although I think if mine was academic I wouldn't send him there either, but for those less gifted I would like to think it's an option at least!

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Wandastartup · 03/07/2013 23:12

Don't beat about the bush celestial! Actually I do agreebut wouldn't have put in quite as bluntly! Is your stat option SBL?

celestialsquirrels · 03/07/2013 23:03

Deeply mediocre. Almost any state option nearby better IMO. I don't understand why anyone pays to go there.

Original poster
SarahJ190 · 03/07/2013 22:56

Yes, it may be an issue. I guess another independent 6th, based on how he does academically. I don't think the switch to state at that point would be an option. Will look at prior park if not too academic, although being catholic put me off a little.

Thanks for all your views and comments, much appreciated to help me with this tricky decision!

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Chubfuddler · 03/07/2013 22:11

What are you going to do with him at 16 if he goes to grittleton? Is there any point in this lovely nurturing environment until 16 if he's going to be thrown into a massive state comp for sixth form?

Wandastartup · 03/07/2013 21:41

Prior park is less selective and has a bus in the morning? I think there are few non selectives locally as the state provision is good so people only prepared to pay for excellent results.

Original poster
SarahJ190 · 03/07/2013 16:28

Kingswood is selective and too academic, he wouldn't pass the 11+. The one near Frenchay might be Colstons that too is 11+. King Edwards in Bath also highly academic. Monkton wrong side of town and a fortune! Don't want to surround him with high achievers, I don't think that would help him and he would just struggle and hate it. Why wouldn't you touch Grittleton, just interested to get views? We don't seem to have too many options! Disappointing for big areas like Bristol and Bath, but all the Independents are 11+ selective.

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XBenedict · 03/07/2013 14:53

Most of the boys from where I live that attend St Margaret's go to King Edwards.